FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Sunday, 8th March, 2020 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 06 Mar 2020
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Sunday, 8th March, 2020
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1:- The Flareon Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
STEPPENWOLF :- Speedy but inconsistent 5 year old colt trained by Nosher Cama who has won twice and finished runner up thrice in his 12 runs till date. Both his wins have come over the 6 furlong trip but has been quite sparingly raced since the last Mumbai campaign, running just once in Pune and then having 2 starts this term. He went very close to adding another success on his Pune run, going down narrowly by half a length to Dancing Lances in a bunched finish and was runner up to Sharareh on his opening run here but then did not race again until the Derby weekend where he finished well down the field. He has had another month to recover from that last run and has moved quite pleasingly in his recent workouts. 5 kilo claimer A. Prakash has been booked to ride today and from the No. 1 draw, he may attempt to make all the running. He should be given each way consideration if running upto his best and is likely to be involved if he has his galloping shoes on.
PLEIADES :- Lightly raced 5 year old gelding trained by Nazzak Chenoy, he has won 2 of his 12 starts till date and has also finished runner up on a couple of occasions. Needing his first few runs to come to hand, he got off the mark at the 6th attempt, scoring his maiden win over course and distance last season in the lower class and went on to add a second success in Pune when scoring decisively from Super Mario with Enid Blyton back in 3rd that day. He made a belated reappearance this season after a gap of 4 months and was clearly in need of that run and should strip fitter today. 5 kilo claimer Aniket Karande takes the ride today replacing Neeraj Rawal and while he still may not quite be back to his best, he looks to have a decent chance on the scale and is worthy of each way consideration.
ENID BLYTON :- Well bred and sparingly raced 4 year old filly from the yard of Altamash Ahmed who has only had 6 starts so far and looks capable of making further improvement although she is returning from a short break. She ran thrice in her juvenile season, placing over 1000M on her first couple of starts where she looked like needing more galloping ground and finishing a respectable 6th in the Poonawalla Million on her final start. She got off the mark on her opening run in Pune just getting up to beat Questina by a neck but failed to build on that win next time out on her handicap debut when finishing 3rd to Pleiades over this trip. She had one run early in this season over a mile when 3rd to Sunrise Ruby and now returns to what should be a more suitable trip. She appears to have been well prepared for her comeback run and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, looks a strong contender to return to the winner’s circle.
GUARNERIUS :- Another rather enigmatic 4 year old colt, this one from the stable of AdhirajsinghJodha, he began his career with a maiden success on debut, getting up along the inside over 1000M to pip Knight Superior. However, he ran very disappointingly on his next 3 starts over varying trips, finishing well behind Pleiades and Enid Blyton on his only other run in Pune. He has run thrice this term, first time out over 1400M when finishing well behind Kildare, then tried over a mile where he was again well down the field but looked like he was coming back to form last time out when finishing on strongly from the rear and just failing to hold off Palomar over this trip with Memorable Eyes ending up 3rd that day. That run was very encouraging and he looks capable of building on that and A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle from Neeraj Rawal. He might just be coming to hand now after losing his way and although he is a 3 ½ kilos worse off with Memorable Eyes taking the rider’s allowance into consideration, he is expected to run a big race and looks to have a strong chance to get back to winning ways.
MEMORABLE EYES :- Full brother to Taimur from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, he has run 4 times till date and made a promising start to his career in a good maiden contest in Pune over 1400M, making the running and finishing runner up to Sultan Suleiman with Revelator back in 3rd (winner of 3 races in a row since). He was a hot favourite for his opening run of the current campaign but failed to show any spark and ended up a poor 4th behind Tudor Hall. Upped to a mile next time out on the Derby weekend, he again disappointed but showed some improvement last time out when dropping to a sprint trip for the first time, ending up a close 3rd behind Palomar with Guarnerius just ahead of him in 2nd. A direct viewing of that race would slightly favour Guarnerius today as he came from a long way back to pip Memorable Eyes but P.S. Kaviraj claims 3 ½ kilos in the saddle which makes things a lot closer. He is still unexposed over sprint trips and could be good enough to get off the mark today.
CONCLUSION :- While Guarnerius and Memorable Eyes appear to be closely matched on their last running, both may have to play second fiddle to the potentially smart ENID BLYTON today who appears to have been well prepared for her comeback run after a 3 month gap. She was tried over a mile early in the season and it was decided that she would not stay that far and she skipped the 1000 Guineas and has been prepared for this shorter trip. As long as she looks well in the preliminaries she is likely to resume her progress. Guarnerius is given the edge from the among the other two and the race is unlikely to go outside the grasp of these three
Race No. 2 :- The MulrajGoculdas Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 1400M
AUBURN :- Well performed got abroad 6 year old mare from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad she has an excellent record of 6 wins from her 19 starts till date and is usually seen competing in Terms races so this represents a slight drop in grade. A mile seems to be her best trip overall but 7 furlongs should not prove to be a problem and the last time she contested a handicap in Pune, she gave weight and a beating to her rivals before going on to win the Fillies and Mares’ Stakes in good style. She made her seasonal reappearance in the Gr. 3 Rusi Patel Trophy on Derby Day and looked rusty but still ran on to finish a decent 3rd to Flying Visit and she should come on significantly for that run. The opposition today looks significantly weaker and A. Sandesh has been booked to ride taking over from S. Zervan. She appears to be the class act in this field and looks a leading fancy to win this in spite of conceding quite a lot of weight.
AUGUSTUS CAESAR :- 5 year old gelding trained by Altamaash Ahmed who has been making steady progress in handicaps over this sort of trip and really seems to have come into his own in the last 6 months. Starting from Pune in August, he scored 4 wins from 5 starts before finishing 4th in the S.C. Jain Trophy last time out when attempting to drop to sprinting. He scored back to back wins this season before that run, showing a good attitude and taking advantage of the weight advantage to pip Awesome One on his penultimate run. He will appreciate the return to 7 furlongs today and may attempt to make all the running in this small field. Neeraj Rawal as usual takes the ride, he receives 6 kilos from Auburn and appears to have a good chance to resume his upward curve and return to winning ways.
EXCELLENT GOLD :- Relatively consistent 6 year old handicapper who is one of 2 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable who has looked to be in the handicapper’s grip for a very long time and has flattered to deceive on a number of occasions but has not passed the winning post first for a very long time. At his best when coming from behind with a late run, his 4 career wins all came in quick succession when in his prime but his last win was way back in December 2017 and he has been winless for his last 22 starts. 6 furlong appears to be his best trip but he has looked well handicapped on a couple of occasions but has failed to deliver. He has had 4 runs this season, last time out finishing 3rd of 5 to Silver Flames and with age it may be possible that he will now prefer this additional furlong. Dashrath Singh takes over from P.S. Kaviraj in the saddle today and he is given a small chance to upset.
TEXAS GOLD :- 6 year old colt trained by HosidarDaji who has won 5 of his 21 starts till date and is usually effective over slightly further but should be able to tackle the 7 furlong trip. He has a smart turn of foot when on song and has performed quite well till date, last time out needing the run when back from almost a year off the track and running quite a forward race over 1200M before fitness became an issue. He will be better suited by the additional furlong and K. Nazil retains the ride but may need a couple of more runs before he is back to full fitness and may not be seen to best effect today. Considered though in this small field
CONCLUSION :- AUBURN usually competes at a higher level, looks to have the ability to tackle this lot of handicappers and is selected to score. Augustus Caesar who has been prolific over 7 furlongs is likely to trouble her if at his best and shapes as a live danger.
Race No. 3 :- The R.J. Kolah Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
KING OF KATNI :- Debutant who is one of two runners from the stable of Imtiaz Sait and although Wafy has already had a run, this one appears to be the more preferred of the two with Dashrath Singh booked to ride. He appears to have been well prepared for his debut run and has been showing out well in his morning work. On the pedigree side, his half brother Gusty Look has won 2 races in Hyderabad over middle distance trips so 1400M seems to be a good starting point. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness but if looking the part, he is expected to run a good race and should figure in the frame.
TOUCH OF FAITH :- The experienced runner from the 2 saddled by S.K. Sunderji here and the choice of Nicky Mackay so appears to be the more fancied of the pair. His mother Scarlet O’Hara was a strong staying type who won 4 races and finished 3rd in the Gr. 2 Bangalore Oaks so there appears to be stamina in the pedigree and he was given an educative run on debut in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million where he was seen making late headway to finish in mid division, a few places behind Isle of Skye. He is expected to have learnt from that debut run and improved for the experience and is another who is expected to run a much better race today and looks a strong each way contender.
ARCADIA :- Kingda Ka filly who is owned and trained by Pesi Shroff and made an eye catching debut in the N. M. Irani Trophy about a month ago where she was visibly soft in the paddock but put in a pleasing performance to finish a close 3rd to Miss Muffet with runner up Live By Night going on to confirm the form. She is expected to improve appreciably for that run and strip fitter today and has been entrusted to 3 ½ kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj today. She has been working well since the run so seems to have improved and looks a strong contender to get off the mark today.
ISLE OF SKYE :- Trained by Dallas Todywalla and sporting the popular colours this season of the Poonawalla family, this half sister to Excellent is the most experienced runner in this field having already had 2 starts and she has performed quite well on both occasions. Both her runs so far have been over 1200M, making her debut in the same race as La Teste and finishing 3rd to Monarchos and then going on to finish a respectable 4th in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million behind Golden Oaks who finished a noteworthy 2nd in the Poonawalla Multi Million. That seems to be the strongest of the limited form on offer and she is likely to appreciate the additional furlong. Her workouts since that last run indicate that she has improved again and with the in form David Egan to guide her, she must be respected.
LA TESTE :- Interesting looking once raced Western Aristocrat filly from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, she finished 4th about 3 ¼ lengths behind Isle of Skye on her racing debut back in January and has been given time to improve and strengthen since then reappearing after a gap of 2 months. She too looks likely to appreciate the additional furlong and should give a much better account of herself today. P.S. Chouhan has been booked to ride today replacing Neeraj Rawal, she has moved attractively in her last couple of gallops and is another who has the scope to improve considerably and looks capable of being involved
CONCLUSION :- A difficult maiden to solve here with some interesting types on display but ARCADIA made an impressive debut when looking very soft in the paddock and is expected to make the required improvement to tackle this lot today. Touch of Faith looks to have improved from her debut run and might be able to reverse the places with Isle of Skye while La Teste too looks a potential improver and is dangerous to ignore.
Race No. 4 :- The Jayramdas Patel Gold Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2000M
LUCKY LUCIANO :- 6 year old gelding from the stable of AdhirajsinghJodha who has managed to win 3 of his 30 starts and also placed on 10 occasions for a decent overall record. He was a winner of the Independence Trophy over this trip in Pune not too long ago so is effective over it and is not too high above that last winning mark. He has already run 5 times this season without creating much of an impression but did finish 3rd of 4 over this trip last time out in the higher class and has been eased in grade as well. Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle from C.S. Jodha, he is capable of making an impression in this small field and is likely to be involved in the finish.
MISHKA’S PRIDE :- One of two 4 year olds in the field and in the care of Imtiaz Sait, she looked to be developing into a useful prospect as her juvenile season progressed, finishing runner up to Kariega in the Juvenile Fillies Championship before going on to take the J.D. & Peggy Banatwalla Trophy both over a mile. However, she seemed to lose her way in Pune running quite disappointingly as well as her first two starts this term but she looked like she had returned to form last time out when running a cracker of a race over a mile, looking a winner before being nabbed right on the line by Nekhbet. The additional distance is likely to be in her favour and if she can progress again and build on that last effort then she looks to have an excellent chance to add to her earlier success and in this company, looks to be a leading contender with A. Sandesh in the saddle.
BENEVOLENCE :- Stable companion of Mishka’s Pride who has managed only 1 win from her 17 starts and has been largely out of form this season and has been running in small fields to pick up some stake money. She finished runner up to Lucky Luciano in the Independence Cup back in August and comes out slightly better off at the weights on that running but her form this season has been quite lacklustre. Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride today and she is running in a lower grade so could conceivably bounce back and stands a chance to upset.
GREY FALCON :- The unknown quantity in this field, this unplaced 4 year old from the stable of Narendra Lagad has run 5 times till date and has failed even to make the board but does not appear to have been seriously tried till date. There is no logical form to recommend his chances except that he moved quite well in a recent Mock Race and runs at a feather weight with P.S. Kaviraj astride. He stands a small chance to upset if finding some improvement on his 6th start and looks a rank outsider.
CONCLUSION :- A small field and the logical choice amongst mainly out of form horses would be MISHKA’S PRIDE who looked like she was ready to strike last time out and should appreciate the additional distance.
Race No. 5 :- The C.N. Wadia Gold Cup (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2400M
CAPRISCA :- 6 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who was a runaway winner of this race last year and looks to have an excellent chance to defend his crown although his form over the last 12 months has been quite patchy. Winner of 7 of 22 starts overall including the Gr.1 Indian St. Leger, he gave Vulcan 8 kilos and a 3 ¾ length beating in this race last year so looks better placed on the scales with that rival. However, since the last Mumbai season, he has had just 2 well spaced out runs and finished well down the field on both occasions. A fair 4th to Bushtops in the Eve Champion Trophy, he was planned to run the Idar Gold Trophy but was withdrawn from that race with swollen joints. He was nursed along after that and made his seasonal reappearance here in the Eclipse Stakes where he finished dead last of the 9 runners which was not particularly encouraging. However, he looked to badly be in need of that run and his last few workouts suggest that he is coming back to form. David Egan has been booked to ride, he looks head and shoulders above this field on his best form and even if he is not in peak condition, he still looks a leading contender to win this.
BRONX :- Late maturing 6 year old gelding from the NosherCama yard who began his racing at a late stage but has managed to win 5 times and finish runner up 5 times in his 15 runs till date. He progressed steadily up the handicap ranks while gradually stepping up in trip as well and gained his first Group Race success in Pune when a runaway winner of the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup in October. He has been nowhere near that form in his 3 runs this term, looking to have a good opportunity in the Jiwajirao Scindia but ended a poor 3rd to Tasawwur. He finished 6th in the Eclipse Stakes last time out and is now upped further in trip to 2400M. P.S. Chouhan as usual takes the ride and although he has to show that he retains the form of his Pune runs, he looks the main danger to Caprisca and can score if the favourite is off his game.
VULCAN :- 7 year old horse trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has a fine record of 8 wins from his 35 starts and is a proven stayer over this trip. He appears to be just short of Group Race level as he has managed to win Class I handicaps but has struggled to earn a Group Race success which still eludes him. Dropped into a handicap last time out, he scored a confidence boosting win over this trip but had to be fully ridden out to hold off a belated challenge from Sagittarius with Magistero well beaten in 3rd that day. A. Sandesh takes the ride and he is the one runner in this race with current form so does have a chance to finally claim Group Race glory and does merit consideration.
CONCLUSION :- A poor turnout for such a prestigious race and even if not 100%, CAPRISCA looks set to score back to back wins in this race. He towers over these 3 rivals on form and with the prolific David Egan aboard is hard to oppose. Vulcan who has current form to his name and stays the trip well looks the danger.
Race No. 6 :- The Indian Navy Trophy – Class III & IV, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
WESTERN FRONT :- In form 5 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla who has won thrice and finished runner up on 4 occasions in his 13 starts till date and looks to be progressing nicely although steadily up the handicap route. All his 3 wins have come over slightly longer trips but he has been running well over a mile this season and should not have a problem with this 7 furlong trip. Runner up to Van Dyke over a mile the last twice, he looks to be in good nick at present, and David Egan who has ridden him the last twice keeps the ride. He is taking on horses of his own age group today and looks a danger to all in spite of top weight.
BARACK :- Lightly raced 5 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff stable who has a nice pedigree and has 2 wins to his name from his 8 runs till date. He seems to have some fitness issues, running only twice in Pune and finishing a good 2nd to Lorraine over a mile on his last run and building on that on his opening run this season when returning from 3 ½ month absence to score a convincing 2 length win over Ebony in a similar contest over 1200M. He could only finish 6th last time out against Kildare on Derby Day but the form of that race seems to be working out quite well and he looks very capable of bouncing back. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride today with Leigh Roche returning back home, he is working well and looks to have an excellent chance to score and continue his improvement.
POLYNEICES :- Experienced 6 year old gelding trained by NosherCama who has won thrice from 20 starts so far and after coming down in the scales to a useful mark, has been in good form of late. After narrowly failing to score over 1200M in Pune, he began this season in fine style with a stylish 1 ½ length over this trip, beating the reopposing Cormorant quite comfortably and took a penalty in his stride last time out when running a fine race to finish a very close 4th to Revelator in a bunched finish. He appears to be well within himself at present, P.S. Chouhan as usual takes the ride and he looks likely to be involved in the finish again today and will almost certainly make the frame.
MY PRECIOUS :- Gutsy front running 6 year old from the stable of Karthik G who disappointed in the early part of her career but was transformed when upped to middle distances and adopting front running tactics which saw her mark rise steadily from 25 to her current rating of 55. She has already tasted success this season, once again making all against the younger horses over this trip on Oaks day and kicking on gamely to hold off Golden Hind and Majestic Warrior and prevail by a length. She has found it tough under her penalty and has struggled the last twice but may not find too much competition for the lead today and could surprise if allowed her own way up front. Upset chance.
CORMORANT :- Inconsistent but well handicapped 5 year old from the stable of Faisal Abbas who is a winner of 2 races from 13 starts and showed that he still had zest for racing when finishing on late to be runner up to Polyneices on his penultimate start. However, he disappointed when only finishing 5th last time out in spite of looking to have an excellent chance and does not appear to be completely straightforward. A. Sandesh takes the ride today replacing P. Trevor, he looks to have a chance to score if running upto his best but needs things to go exactly his way and comes with plenty of risks attached.
CONCLUSION :- A competitive finale in a mainly lacklustre card and BARACK looks the most likely winner here and should be able to get the better of the consistent Western Front.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
